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Copyright to this resource is held by the Glendale Arizona Historical Society and is provided here for education purposes only. It may not be downloaded, reproduced or redistributed in any format without written permission of the Glendale Arizona Historical Society.

Interview with Tom Kadomoto
Tom Kadomoto interviewed by Thelma Heatwole. 1985: 75th Anniversary of Glendale’s Incorporation.
TH: Welcome today to Tom Kadomoto, a man who has been on the Glendale scene for several decades. He is a caring person, one who has contributed much to his community. In fact, Tom along the way, has accumulated 23 firsts for a Japanese American and he is widely known. He attended Glendale Elementary school, when it was still called Glendale Grade School and he is a native Arizonan. What can you remember, Tom, about those early, early days in Glendale?
TK: Well, a couple of things. One was that we lived on Lateral 16 which is now Northern and 43rd Avenue. My mom started to learn how to drive. One day she came after us to school, picked us up, on the way back, she didn’t know how to stop quick enough and she hit a cow. It didn’t damage the car much, but it was exciting.
TH: Something you remember.
TK: Yes, and I remember those railroad tracks on what is now 57th Avenue, I believe. We used to walk by there from school when we lived on Camelback and 59th Avenue.
TH: Your father farmed, for a time, 160 acres. I think it was around 59th Avenue and Indian School Road. I understand, also, that he farmed elsewhere in the valley and around Glendale. How come he changed his locales?
TK: In those days, a law enacted in 1913, prohibited Orientals from buying land. So, they had to lease land. Leased land was generally only good for three to four years. So when the three to four years were up, they moved on to another location. That’s the reason we had to move so often.
TH: Was the soil so depleted that it was advantageous to move?
TK: That was the main reason. When the farmer released the land to the owner, he put rice on it to make the soil more fertile.
TH: Although you attended Glendale Elementary School, before you finished your education there, you went to Tokyo. You did come back and graduated from Phoenix High School. How come you left Glendale to go to Tokyo?
TK: My folks felt that we should have a Japanese Education and that helped me a lot in later life. But, I have a suspicion that most of the Japanese farmers in those days never really did settle here. They had the intention of going back when they had their loot.
TH: You did come back and graduated from Phoenix Union High School and then World War II was sort of in the offing. But before the bombing of Pearl Harbor, you were already in the U. S. Army.
TK: Yes
TH: Tell us about your service, because that developed into something unusual.
TK: In July of 1941, before the war, I was inducted into the army and went to Fort McArthur and then to Hartford, Illinois to get my basic medical training. Then, I worked in a hospital in Nevada. While I was working in the hospital, the war started out. I was on the night shift and when I woke up I heard it blaring over the radio. In due time, I was transferred inland. All Japanese American Soldiers were transferred inland. Then, I volunteered for the Military Intelligence School. This led me to the Pacific where, eventually, I was attached to General MacArthur’s headquarters as interpreter, translator and interrogator.
TH: How interesting. We have a picture here that shows Tom in his uniform. As a result of this service, you were the first Japanese American to receive the Bronze Star, is that right.
TK: Yes.
TH: Why was that? What entitled you to that?
TK: It was probably because we had to go to the front lines service. I was between our artillery and the enemy when I was in the front line. That enables us to translate the document right there and then. To give you an example, the Japanese Army Officers were fairly careless compared to ours. A captain was carrying a military operational order. When we translated that, it read that they were going to attack a certain point on a certain date. That went to general headquarters right away and they pulled the man out of that area. When they attacked, there was no one there.
TH: What a key role you played.
TK: Thank you. These were critical times and I had several men under me at the front line and I think these other men should have been recognized as well. I was the only one awarded; unfortunately, they can’t give one to everyone.
TH: I know this is a source of pride to you today. After the war you came back to Glendale?
TK: Yes.
TH: In the years that followed, you accumulated your 23 firsts for various services here in Glendale. Why did you become so involved in the community of Glendale?
TK: When I started my accounting business, the public was so nice that I felt I owed a debt to Glendale and that I should serve in any capacity I can. So, I volunteered.
TH: You certainly did, over the years. Before we get into this service, Tom has some unusual information that he acquired mostly, I think, from translating from the Japanese language a book about history, The Valley of the Sun. I want you to tell us something about that. What happened in 1888? Now, that’s a long time ago.
TK: In 1888, according to the record, the first intermarriage between a Caucasian and Oriental took place in Phoenix between a man name Onuki and Catherine Shannon. It happened, coincidentally, that this gentleman was the original beginner of electrical power in Phoenix. While he has installing electricity in the Shannon home he met her and eventually, married her. This happened in 1888. Incidentally, it might be interesting to note that this intermarriage prohibition law existed until at least 1974. [Supreme Court over turn state laws in 1967]
TH: But, they got around that some way?
TK: I don’t know if they enforced the law, or maybe it came about subsequent to the law. But, I know it existed in 1946 or 1947.
TH: What did this power firm become, eventually known as?
TK: This electric company eventually built into a gas company, then built a rail streetcar in Phoenix and later on became the Central Arizona Light and Power Company and then became Arizona Public Service Company. I understand it is presently changing to Southwest.
TH: This is history that a lot of people don’t know about and I have never heard it before. Can you tell us, in the early days of Glendale when the sugar beet business was prominent, did the Japanese have something to do with it?
TK: Yes. In 1905, there was a man named Minekumo who brought, according to record, 120 Japanese farm laborers to harvest the sugar beets. Whether they came back again, I don’t know. But 1907, three of four farmers settled in the Mesa, Tempe, Phoenix, and Carefree area. In 1908, some more came. In 1909, interestingly, the U. S. government permitted what is known as an “invitee” program along with the “picture wedding” program.
TH: Tell us about the picture wedding program.
TK: Picture wedding might be interesting.
TH: That was around 1908?
TK: Yes. The man here would send a photograph to Japan and relatives would find him a girl. Naturally, in Japan the girl, being close to a photographer, would take a recent picture. The farmers here, not having a photographer readily accessible, would no doubt, send an older picture, which looked better anyhow. So, when the bride arrived on the boat, she would hold the picture in her hand and compare in with the men waiting below. They couldn’t find the man they were looking for. There were a lot of stories and disappointments. Some went back, some were happily married and some exchange spouses.
TH: At least one Glendale family was involved?
TK: At least one Glendale family was involved and under the invitation program, there are two families involved.
TH: In 1909, your father opened a business here in Glendale?
TK: In 1909, a restaurant and bakery was started by two Japanese. Then my father, a month later with his cousin and another man, started a laundry in Glendale. Unfortunately, I don’t know where it was. I was never able to find out.
TH: That is something that I never knew about. Tom’s roots are very deep in Glendale. Let’s move on to 1934. An anti-Japanese movement started in Phoenix. It’s not one of the best chapters in Arizona history, but I don’t think we should avoid it. Tell us what this involved.
TK: It actually took place in 1934, but the basic origin probably started in California, because California adopted a land reform law in 1913 which prohibited persons ineligible for citizenship to own land. In 1921, it was further revised by prohibiting Japanese from even leasing land. So, the roots were planted then, I presume. Then in 1934, exactly 50 years ago, a movement began to expel all Japanese from this valley. It was right after the depression and people from the east were moving in and felt that there was some jealousy, envy, they could take over the land and farm and make the money that they are making. This went on quite high. Even Cordell Hull, the Secretary of State, wrote our then governor asking him to do something about it. He then sent telegrams to the governor saying he showed very small results and the governor should take further action. It lasted for three or four months and there were 24 known damages to homes, their farms were flooded, but there were no personal injuries. In November of that year, it subsided.
TH: Were any of the homes affected in Glendale?
TK: Most of the area affected effected has now been taken over by Phoenix, but at that time it was in Glendale.
TH: That was very interesting but something, when we look back on it, we cannot be proud of. Let’s get back to your time and something exciting that happened to you after you were home from the service. Tell us about the first that occurred. You were selected as the official representative of the Japanese Consul General in Los Angeles in 1965. You had a special assignment in that connection.
TK: The Consul General in Los Angeles called and asked me if I would escort the sister of the Emperor Hirohito. I asked Governor Goddard if he would send an official invitation to invite them here. He said that it was a rare occasion and he would be happy to. Prince Mikasa’s wife, Princess Mikasa and her daughter came and I escorted them to the Grand Canyon, Holbrook and the Petrified Forest.
TH: You also went to Las Vegas. Tell us about the meal you had there. Very expensive!
TK: On the way over to Las Vegas, the Consul General was thinking that we’re going to have the best steak dinner that we can buy! We got there, they passed out the menu and it was more expensive than he had figured. He ordered Cornish hen and I followed suit. Then after the dinner, the maitre d’ said, “This is on the house.” We missed out on a good steak.
TH: [Laughter] That was a different switch for that trip. Did you enjoy?
TK: Very enjoyable. I was greatly honored that I could travel with them and sit in the same car. This was a very unusual thing. It would be unusual in Japan, too.
TH: Yes. In 1977 though, Tom, something also unusual happened. You were named the Honorary Consul of Japan. You still hold that title, don’t you?
TK: Yes.
TH: Very few people know that about you. What does this entail?
TK: To start with, I have to have an official document from the Foreign Minister appointing me as Honorary Consul for Arizona and Phoenix. There isn’t that much additional work, except I am listed in the phone book and the phone calls are fabulous. The questions asked are very interesting, sometimes. Sometimes very sad. They ask how you say “Good Morning” in Japanese or would you write my name in Japanese, which does not pertain to my official capacity. Two years ago, I was appointed to Honorary Consul General. One step further.
TH: One step further and another first. Once there was an accident that took a lot of your time?
TK: There have been many accidents, but the last one involved two girls who made a return trip to Arizona, to visit a family, with her girl friend who was going to college in Kobi, Japan. She told her family that she was taking her friend to see the Grand Canyon. She took her friend to see Grand Canyon and apparently, on the way back they boarded a small plane that crashed on the take-off and was burned beyond recognition. I called the family and told them to make sure they have dental plates of both of these girls, because that is the only way they will be able to identify them. They were able to identify only nine people; the others they could tell only if they were men or women. Then, I spent five days with the family. After the dental plate, it took 48 hours to identify the body. Eventually they were cremated and their remains were flown back to Japan.
TH: So, there can be a lot involved. Tom, you are a very unassuming person and you would never tell about all of your firsts. But, tell me about two or three. You were the first Japanese to become a licensed public accountant?
TK: Yes.
TH: And you were the first Japanese American to serve as President of Glendale Toastmasters Club. Did you used to make speeches?
TK: Yes.
TH: You were Chairman of Glendale United Fund?
TK: Yes.
TH: And what about the Chamber of Commerce award you received in 1964?
TK: When I was Chairman of the United Campaign Fund, we met 92% of our goal. The Chamber of Commerce considered that an accomplishment and they gave me the award and a banquet. It was a surprise. I was asked to come as a guest and lo and behold…
TH: You were the honoree.
TK: Yes.
TH: What is another first that you attained here?
TK: Well…
TH: It’s hard remembering everything. What about your helping the alien Japanese gain U. S. Citizenship? That was in 1952, I believe.
TK: I think it was December of 51’, our former governor McFarland became U. S. Senator. He pushed the legislation that enabled – or voided the law that stated aliens ineligible for citizenship – which made it possible for all Orientals, including Japanese and Chinese to become citizens. When that became law, I went to school, which was being taught by Mr. Osborne, then a New York Life Agent, to learn the course on how to teach citizenship classes. Interestingly, he said, “All of you are here because you want to become citizens. But, we have on gentleman here who is a U. S. Citizen.” Anyway, I finished the course, then I translated the course and taught the course in Japanese to our parents or non-citizen Japanese. Eventually, almost 100 obtained their citizenship.
TH: You helped 100 people become citizens. I think that’s an outstanding service. In 1964, you began another service. You became the first Japanese American to become a member of the Glendale Elementary School Board. How many years did you serve?
TK: Ten years, from January of 65’ to December of 74’ or 75’. It was a ten full years. I enjoyed every minute of it.
TH: I understand you were very good at it. You were perhaps a strict disciplinarian?
TK: I am still a strict disciplinarian. I feel our society lacks it and we need a method to get to it more.
TH: We need more people like you on the school board today. Along the way, you had several vocations. You were and accountant; you were in real estate. What were some of the other things you have done in Glendale?
TK: Along with accounting and real estate, there is a need for photo-copying, mimeographing, interpreting and translating. It wasn’t a necessity, but the public needed it. Whatever the public needed it. Whatever the public needed, I tried to provide.
TH: You did a good job over the years. I want to get one thing. You went back to see your mother and your whole family.
TK: My dad died in 1931. The year my dad took my brother and myself to Japan and left us there to get and education, he came back and was told that he had stomach cancer. He sold everything he had, which didn’t include land but did include some horses and equipment. He went back that same year in November and my mother went with him. They went by ship and I met them at the port. Nine hours after he arrived, he died. My mother stayed in Japan.
TH: How many children did she have?
TK: She had six children.
TH: What was the year you all went back?
TK: About five or six years ago. When my mother wanted to have a 50th memorial service for my father, we all went back. It was the first time in 41 years that she saw all her offspring, that were still living, at one time.
TH: That must have been a golden occasion.
TK: It was an exciting and interesting occasion.
TH: Tom, you’ve done so much for Glendale. You are part and parcel of our history. How do you feel about Glendale today?
TK: It is still my home and I want to keep it that way.
TH: Thank you, Tom Kadomoto, for being here today. You are such an important segment of Glendale’s history.
TK: Thank you, I enjoyed being here.
Addendum
In February, 1991, Tom sent a memo to the Glendale Arizona Historical Society with corrections
and consummated information:
In going over the book that contains Japanese history of the valley, I found the following:
(Published December 1961 by a Japanese newspaper in Los Angeles.)
Following are some of the extracts.
“In 1905 Giichi Minekumo brought 120 Japanese laborers from San Francisco to harvest sugar beets.”
“In august of 1909, Kamada and Kubota opened a bakery and restaurant in Glendale. In September of same year S. Kadomoto, Miyake and Mori, opened a laundry shop in Glendale.”
“Earlier before the above, in the early 1890s there was a Hachiro Ohnuki who came to Arizona along with the Gold Rush group and served as water carrier. Saved his money, formed a company with Caucasian partners and started a gas company, electric company and a street car company in Phoenix. Phoenix owes a debt to Mr. Ohnuki for his contribution to the development of Phoenix.”
Note: Arizona Public Service is the successor to this company and they have quite a file on him and I have quite a bit on him also, if it interests you. The above mentioned 1890, I think is wrong, it should be in the late 1880s.
In an accompanying note:
…Please feel free to call me on any other items that you have questions on, especially about the local Japanese early history. I don’t think I can find the time to translate the whole thing at the present. Again thank you.
Sincerely,
Tom Kadomoto